Tarot cards are a tool used for divination. The image most people get in their mind when they think of a tarot card reader is an old woman, dressed in black and purple, huge nose, pointy hat, and with a black cat. Hey, listen, there are people out there that do play up the stereotypical "witch vibe," but in most cases, the reader is a regular-looking person. Of course someone going for a tarot card reading for the first time will have some fear. Who wants to encounter a woman with dark robes and a creepy lookin' black cat? Not me. So, yes, it is normal to have a little bit of fear when going for your first tarot card reading. Society, religion, movies and television, have all created an image of what a tarot reader looks like.
Here are a few misconceptions to consider: all tarot readers are witches, all are women, all are psychic, the tarot is evil. Let’s go in reverse order; the tarot is not evil, rather it is a tool that can be used for enlightenment, self-discovery, meditation, reflection, and divination. Now, if delving into divination is considered evil by your beliefs, then you should not get a reading because you will regret it. If getting a tarot card reading goes against your belief system, you will regret it later on. Your own conscious and beliefs will make you regret; however, this does not mean that getting a reading is a regrettable action, but feeling regret just shows how much you have been conditioned to believe certain things.
Not all tarot card readers are psychics. There is some psychic ability involved in tarot reading, but full-on I-can-see-your-soul type of psychic ability is actually rare. The way the tarot is read is by knowing the meaning of each card and being able to decipher the significance of its placement in the reading. Psychic abilities are fluid and how each tarot card reader works depends from person to person. Most people are afraid of getting a tarot reading because they are afraid of what the reader will see in them. People have secrets. People have secrets and they are afraid of those things being revealed. Or, they are afraid of the reader seeing something bad or evil. If it is fear of having your secrets revealed, then maybe you should reflect on why you are keeping those secrets and whether you can work towards living in a way that is free from the constraints of secrecy. If you are afraid of being given bad news, then you need to weigh the need you have for guidance, the trust you have in the reader, against your fear. If your need for guidance is great and the reader has earned your trust, then take the leap and get the reading. If anything you will have gotten rid of the “what if?” from your mind. Also, keep in mind that although you are getting a reading from someone you trust, in the end, you must decide for yourself how to deal and what the next course of action will be. The reader’s words are suggestions meant to get you on the path that you yourself desire. See, the tarot is a tool of empowerment.
Tarot card readers and those who use this tool are not all witches. Those that use the tarot come from varying paths, religions, spiritual practices, ethnicities, and endless more combinations. Men can read the tarot, too. Here in the United States it is rather rare to find a man who reads the cards. This may be due to the widely accepted steroetype, fear of being laughed at and/or being accused of homosexuality, and so on.But, in Central America, specifically in Honduras, there are as many men reading the tarot as there are women.
The things you should consider when going for a reading are whether you are comfortable with the person, whether you trust them, whether they are skilled and genuine, and even religious or spiritual background. When all of these things align to match or compliment your background, the reading is most accurate and beneficial. This is because the trust you have in the person, your need to be helped, along with your desire to be helped, and the want of the reader to provide help and guidance will open energetic channels that will allow for free communication. Always trust your gut instinct because that is the first method of communication from your soul. Your soul know what is good for you, so trust in that, trust in yourself.
Namaste.